Retractable covering element and product packaging and application assembly equipped with such a system

Abstract

The present invention concerns a retractable covering system suitable for covering a handling element protruding from the neck of a product reservoir. In the system, an assembly ring defines a longitudinal axis and an axial direction. A cap is translatable along the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly ring between a deployed position, in which it extends substantially protruding relative to the ring, and a retracted position, in which it is at least partially retracted relative to the ring. An elastic element biasing biases the cap toward the deployed position and a reversible locking device locks the cap in the retracted position.

Claims

1. A retractable covering system suitable for covering a handling element protruding from a neck of a product reservoir, said product reservoir having an open free end, a shoulder, a side wall, and a bottom, said shoulder radially connecting said neck to said side wall, said side neck extending along a longitudal axis, the handling element comprising a pushbutton, a pump being fixed to the neck of the product reservoir, the push button being movable relative to the pump between a rest position and a pump actuation position, said system comprising: an assembly ring intended to be attached concentrically to the neck of the product reservoir, having a first longitudinal end intended to be placed facing the product reservoir and a second longitudinal, end, and defining the longitudinal axis and an axial direction from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end, said second longitudinal end being free; a cap that is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly ring, between a deployed position where said cap substantially protrudes in the axial direction relative to said assembly ring and a retracted position where said cap is at least partially retracted in a direction opposite to the axial direction relative to said assembly ring; an elastic element biasing the cap towards the deployed position; and a reversible locking device to lock the cap in the retracted position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reversible locking device defines at least a first stable position of the cap relative to the assembly ring, corresponding to the retracted position, and at least a first unstable position located beyond the retracted position in the direction opposite to the axial direction, and wherein a passage of the cap from the deployed position to the retracted position is achieved by a movement of said cap relative to the assembly ring in the direction opposite to the axial direction until said cap reaches the first unstable position, followed by a movement of the cap relative to the assembly ring in the axial direction caused by the elastic element.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the reversible locking device defines a second stable position of the cap relative to the assembly ring, corresponding to the deployed position, and a second unstable position located beyond the retracted position in the direction opposite to the axial direction, and wherein a passage of the cap from the retracted position to the deployed position is achieved by a movement of said cap relative to the assembly ring in the direction opposite to the axial direction until said cap reaches the second unstable position, followed by a movement of the cap relative to the assembly ring in the axial direction caused by the elastic element.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the reversible locking device comprises at least one follower pin integral to one among the assembly ring and cap and engaging with a heart-shaped cam integral to the other among the assembly ring and cap.

5. The system according to claim 1, the handling, element being movable relative to the neck of the product reservoir between the resting position and a usage position, said system further comprising a locking device that locks the handling element in the resting position when the cap is in the deployed position, a passage of said cap into the retracted position causing an unlocking of said handling element.

6. A retractable covering system suitable for covering a handling element protruding from a neck of a product reservoir, said retractable covering system comprising: an assembly ring intended to be attached concentrically to the neck of the product reservoir, having a first longitudinal end intended to be placed facing the product reservoir and a second longitudinal end, and defining a longitudinal axis and an axial direction from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end, said second longitudinal end being free; a cap that is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly ring, between a deployed position where said cap substantially protrudes in the axial direction relative to said assembly ring and a retracted position where said cap is at least partially retracted in a direction opposite to the axial direction relative to said assembly ring; an elastic element biasing the cap towards the deployed position; and a reversible locking device to lock the cap in the retracted position, wherein the reversible locking device defines at least a first stable position of the cap relative to the assembly ring, corresponding to the retracted position, and at least a first unstable position located beyond the retracted position in the direction opposite to the axial direction, wherein a passage of the cap from the deployed position to the retracted position is achieved by a movement of said cap relative to the assembly ring in the direction opposite to the axial direction until said cap reaches the first unstable position, followed by a movement of the cap relative to the assembly ring in the axial direction caused by the elastic element, wherein the reversible locking device comprises at least one follower pin integral to one among the assembly ring and cap and engaging with a heart-shaped cam integral to the other among the assembly ring and cap, and wherein the reversible locking device comprises at least one flexible tab having a free end provided with the follower pin, said flexible tab being inclined towards the longitudinal axis such that said follower pin exerts an elastic force in a radial direction on the heart-shaped cam.

7. A retractable covering system suitable for covering a handling element protruding from a neck of a product reservoir, said retractable covering system comprising: an assembly ring intended to be attached concentrically to the neck of the product reservoir, having a first longitudinal end intended to be placed facing the product reservoir and a second free longitudinal end, and defining a longitudinal axis and an axial direction from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end; a cap that is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly ring, between a deployed position where said cap substantially protrudes in the axial direction relative to said assembly ring and a retracted position where said cap is at least partially retracted in a direction opposite to the axial direction relative to said assembly ring; an elastic element biasing the cap towards the deployed position; and a reversible locking device to lock the cap in the retracted position; wherein the handling element is movable relative to the neck of the product reservoir between a rest position and a usage position, said retractable covering system further comprising a locking device that locks the handling element in the rest position when the cap is in the deployed position, a passage of said cap into the retracted position causing an unlocking of said handling element, wherein the locking device for the handling element comprises at least one tiltable tongue integral to the assembly ring and having a locking portion, an unlocking portion, and tilt axis, said locking and unlocking portions extending to each side of the tilt axis, the locking portion engaging with the handling element when the cap is in the deployed position, and said cap being brought into engagement with the unlocking portion when passing from the deployed position to the retracted position so as to cause the tiltable tongue to tilt on the tilt axis and the locking portion to disengage from the handling element.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the locking device further comprises a tab integral to the assembly ring and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the tilt axis of the tiltable tongue is formed by at least one bridge of material connecting said tab and said tiltable tongue.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the locking portion comprises a lug extending radially inward and the unlocking portion comprises a ramp extending radially outward.

10. A product packaging and application assembly comprising: a product reservoir having a neck extending along a longitudinal axis and having an open free end, a shoulder, a side wall, and a bottom, said shoulder radially connecting said neck to said side wall; a product application device having a collection portion intended to be inserted through the open free end of the neck so as to extend at least partially inside the product reservoir, for collecting product contained therein, and a handling element protruding from said neck along the longitudinal axis and adapted to be manipulated by a user in order to act on the collection portion and cause product to exit the product reservoir, wherein the collection portion comprises a pump fixed to the neck of the product reservoir; and a retractable covering system suitable for covering the handling element protruding from the neck of the product reservoir, the handling element comprising a pushbutton, the push button being movable relative to the pump between a rest position and a pump actuation position; an assembly ring concentrically fixed to the neck of the product reservoir, said assembly ring having a first longitudinal end facing the product reservoir and a second longitudinal end, said assembly ring further defining the longitudinal axis and an axial direction from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end, said second longitudinal end being free; and a cap that is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly ring, between a deployed position where said cap substantially protrudes in the axial direction relative to said assembly ring and a retracted position where said cap is at least partially retracted in a direction opposite to the axial direction relative to said assembly ring said cap laterally covering the handling element in the deployed position and at least partially uncovering said handling element in the the retracted position; an elastic element biasing the cap towards the deployed position; and a reversible locking device to lock the cap in the retracted position.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the pump is fixed to the neck of the reservoir by means of a ferrule engaged around and over the open free end of the neck of the reservoir, and wherein the assembly ring is fixed to said neck at least by being engaged around said ferrule.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the retractable covering system of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 1, illustrating the retractable covering system in place on the neck of a product reservoir, the cap being in the deployed position;

(4) FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 1, illustrating the retractable covering system in place on the neck of a product reservoir, the cap being in the retracted position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the reversible locking device equipping the covering system according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a detail view of the locking device of the handling element in the rest position, equipping the covering system according to the invention.

(7) In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

(8) In FIG. 1, a covering system according to the invention is represented in an exploded perspective view, where the handling element of the locking device is not shown for reasons of clarity. It will be described in more detail in relation to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5.

(9) As represented in FIG. 2, the invention relates to a product packaging and application assembly 1 equipped with a retractable covering system 2.

(10) The packaging assembly 1 is, for example, intended for applying a liquid or paste cosmetic, personal care, or pharmaceutical product. It comprises a product reservoir 3 having a neck 4 extending along a longitudinal axis X, said neck 4 extending from a shoulder 5 of the reservoir 3 to a free open end 6. The shoulder 5 is located at the upper end of a side wall 7 of the reservoir.

(11) The packaging assembly 1 further comprises a product application device 8, comprising: a collection device 9, for example a pump suitable for dispensing the product concerned, inserted through the neck 4 of the reservoir in order to collect the product contained therein, and a handling element 10, for example a pushbutton projecting above the upper end 6 of the neck and supported by an actuating rod mounted so as to slide along the longitudinal axis X at the upper end of the pump 9, said actuating rod being adapted to actuate the pump 9 and thereby cause the product to be dispensed, for example through a dispensing or spray nozzle 11 integrated into the push button 10.

(12) The pushbutton 10 is thus axially movable between a rest position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a position allowing pump 9 actuation, where the pushbutton has been pressed towards the neck 4 of the reservoir 3.

(13) The pump 9 is mounted on the neck 4 of the reservoir by means of a ferrule 12, made for example of plastic or other material, which fits onto and around the upper end 6 of the neck 4. This ferrule 12 may, for example, be attached to the neck 4 by snap-fitting or by any other means.

(14) The neck 4 of the reservoir and the application device 8 are normally hidden by said retractable covering system 2.

(15) As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the retractable covering system 2 comprises: an assembly ring 13 that fits around the ferrule 12 by being concentrically mounted onto the neck 4 of the reservoir 3, a cap 14 that is movable, along the longitudinal axis X relative to the assembly ring 13, between a deployed position visible in FIG. 2 where said cap 14 essentially protrudes relative to the ring 13 and laterally covers the pushbutton 10, and a retracted position visible in FIG. 3 where said cap 14 is at least partially retracted relative to the ring 13 and at least partially uncovers the pushbutton 10 in the axial direction X, an elastic element 15, for example a compression spring, biasing the cap 14 in the deployed position, and a reversible locking device, which will be described below and which is suitable for locking the cap 14 in the retracted position.

(16) The assembly ring 13 has a first longitudinal end 130 that is open in the axial direction X and is adapted to be placed facing the reservoir 3, and a second longitudinal end 131 that is open and free in the axial direction X, and defines a longitudinal axis X and an axial direction S from the first end 130 to second end 131.

(17) This assembly ring 13 comprises a fixed insert 16 intended to be fastened around the neck 4 of the reservoir 1 so that it rests on the shoulder 5 of the reservoir, as well as a trim element 17 provided to be fit tightly around the fixed insert 16. The fixed insert 16 may, for example, be made of plastic, and the trim element 17 may be made of metal.

(18) In the embodiment illustrated, the fixed insert 16 is in the form of a generally cylindrically element comprising a first radially inner skirt 160 engaging around and above the ferrule 12 that mounts the pump 9 on the neck of the reservoir 3, a second radially outer skirt 161 onto which the trim element 17 is fitted, for example by press-fitting, and an annular portion 162 radially connecting the lower ends of the first and second skirts 160, 161 and pressing against the shoulder 5 of the reservoir 3.

(19) The cap 14 is mounted so as to be movable along the longitudinal axis X relative to the assembly ring 13 by being received between the first and second skirts 160, 161 of the fixed insert 16. The cap 14 comprises a movable insert 18 which is in the form of a generally cylindrical element open at its axial ends, and a trim element 19 fitted, for example by press-fitting, around said movable insert 18 and having an upper end provided with a through-hole 190 to accommodate the pushbutton 10, and a bearing surface 191 which a user can press in order to move the cap relative to the assembly ring 13 between the deployed position and the retracted position.

(20) As can be seen in particular in FIG. 1, the cap 14 is guided relative to the assembly ring 13 by means of two pairs of longitudinal ribs 180 positioned diametrically opposite on the inner face of the movable insert 18 and engaging with the side faces of the two portions 162 protruding in the radial direction from the outer face of the first skirt 160 of the fixed insert 16, so that movement of the cap 14 relative to the assembly ring 13 is a translational movement with no rotation.

(21) The elastic element 15 is in the form of a helical compression spring having a first end bearing on the fixed insert 16 of the assembly ring 13 and a second end bearing on the movable insert 18 of the cap 14.

(22) The reversible locking device for locking the cap 14 in the retracted position relative to the assembly ring 13 comprises two flexible tabs 182 positioned diametrically opposite on the movable insert 18 of the cap 14 and each having a free end provided with a follower pin 183 which each engage with a heart-shaped cam 163 (an inverted heart-shape in the illustrated embodiment) formed as a recess in each of the protruding portions 162 of the inner skirt 160 of the fixed insert 16.

(23) According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flexible tabs 182 of the movable insert 18 are at least slightly inclined towards the longitudinal axis X so that the follower pins 183 exert an elastic force in the radial direction on the heart-shaped cams 163.

(24) As is particularly visible in FIG. 4, which shows a side view of the fixed insert 16 of the assembly ring 13, each heart-shaped cam 163 forms a continuous track for the movement of the follower pin 183, providing a retraction path 164, a deployment path 165, an upper connecting portion 166 between the retraction and deployment paths 164, 165, and a lower connecting portion 167 between the retraction and deployment paths 164, 165 and formed of first and second segments 168, 169 angled downwards.

(25) Each heart-shaped cam 163 thus defines four specific positions for each follower pin 183 (represented with dashed lines in FIG. 4 for these four specific positions), namely: a first stable position PS1 corresponding to the retracted position of the cap 14 relative to the assembly ring 13, where the associated follower pin 183 is received in a manner that is stable and locked in the axial direction S within the lower connecting portion 167 of the heart-shaped cam 163; a second stable position PS2 corresponding to the deployed position of the cap 14 relative to the assembly ring 13, where the associated follower pin 183 is received in a manner that is stable and locked in the axial direction S within the upper connecting portion 166 of the heart-shaped cam 163; a first unstable position PI1 situated beyond the first stable position PS1 in the direction opposite to the axial direction S, where the associated follower pin 183 is positioned in an unstable manner at the lower end of the first inclined segment 168; and a second unstable position PI2 situated beyond the first stable position PS1 in the direction opposite to the axial direction S, where the associated follower pin 183 is positioned in an unstable manner at the lower end of the second inclined segment 168.

(26) In the embodiment illustrated, each heart-shaped cam 163 defines a closed track for each associated follower pin 183, and the locking in the axial direction S of the cap 14 in the deployed position relative to the assembly ring 13 is achieved by the locking device.

(27) Alternatively, it could be arranged so that each heart-shaped cam 163 defines two half-tracks that are open at their upper ends, the locking in the axial direction S of the cap 14 in the deployed position relative to the assembly ring 13 then being achieved by one or more stops provided on the cap 14 and adapted to engage with one or more corresponding stops provided on the assembly ring 13.

(28) Furthermore, and as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the retractable covering system 2 according to the invention further comprises a locking device provided to lock the pushbutton 10 in the rest position when the cap 14 is in the deployed position relative to the ring 13, and to unlock the pushbutton 10 when the cap 14 is in the retracted position relative to the ring 13 so as to allow displacement of the pushbutton 10 to its pump 9 actuation position.

(29) This locking device comprises two diametrically opposite tabs 20 extending substantially along the longitudinal axis X and connected to the radially inner skirt 160 of the fixed insert 16 via two radial connecting portions 21.

(30) Two cutouts, having C-shapes in this example, are made in each of the tabs 20 in order to define a tiltable tongue 22 having a locking portion formed by a lug 23 extending radially inward, an unlocking portion formed by a ramp 24 extending radially outward, and a tilt axis formed by two bridges 25 of material connecting the tiltable tongue 22 to the tab 20, the lug 23 and the ramp 24 being located on each side of the tilt axis so as to form a tilting system.

(31) The operation of the retractable covering system of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

(32) In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the cap 14 is in the deployed position relative to the ring 13 and substantially protrudes in the axial direction S relative thereto so as to laterally cover the pushbutton 10.

(33) In this position, the locking lugs 23 engage with the lower edge of the pushbutton 10 in a manner that prevents its displacement toward the pump 9 actuation position.

(34) Starting from this configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, a user holding in the reservoir 3 in her hand presses on the cap 14 at the bearing surface 191 of the trim element 19, for example using her thumb, which moves said cap 14 in the direction opposite to the axial direction S, against the force exerted by the spring 15.

(35) During this movement, the follower pins 183 leave the defined second stable position PS2 in the heart-shaped cams 163 and travel along the retraction paths 164, causing the flexible tabs 182 to bend until they reach the first unstable position PI1. The follower pins 183 then leave the retraction paths 164 and are forced into the first inclined segments 168 by the elastic return of the flexible tabs 182.

(36) Parallel to this movement of the cap 14, the pushbutton 10 passes through the through-hole 190 formed on the trim element 19 of the cap 14, and the edge of said trim element 19 comes into contact with the unlocking ramps at the through-hole 190, which causes the tiltable tongues 22 to tilt due to the twisting of the bridges of material 25 connecting them to their respective axial tab 20, thus disengaging the locking lugs 23 from the lower edge of the pushbutton 10.

(37) The user then stops pressing the cap 14, which causes movement of the cap 14 in the axial direction S and displacement of the follower pins 183 to the first stable position PS1 due to the relaxation of the spring 15.

(38) In this position illustrated in FIG. 3, the cap 14 is locked in the retracted position relative to the ring 13 and is not covering the pushbutton 10 which can then be pressed towards the neck 4 of the reservoir 3 into the pump 9 actuation position, which causes product contained inside the reservoir 3 to be dispensed.

(39) Once the user is done using the product application device 8 comprising the pump 9 and pushbutton 10, she again presses the cap 14 at the bearing surface 191 of the trim element 19, which moves said cap 14 in the direction opposite to the axial direction S, against the force exerted by the spring 15.

(40) During this movement, the follower pins 183 leave the defined first stable position PS1 in the heart-shaped cams 163 and travel within the second inclined segments 169, causing the flexible tabs 182 to bend until they reach the second unstable position PI2.

(41) The follower pins 183 are then facing the deployment paths 165, and are returned to the second stable position PS2 due to the relaxation of the spring 15 when the user releases the pressure exerted on the cap 14.

(42) At the same time, the edge of the trim element 19 is disengaged from the unlocking ramps 24 at the through-hole 190 and the tiltable tongues 22 are returned to the position which locks the pushbutton 10 by the elastic return of the bridges of material 25.

(43) The product packaging and application assembly 1 equipped with the retractable covering system 2 according to the invention is then once again in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, where the pushbutton 10 is hidden by being laterally covered by the cap 14 in the deployed position relative to the ring 13, and is locked in the rest position by the locking lugs 23 engaged with the lower edge of the pushbutton (10).